35 things I’ve learned in my 35 years

I turn 35 this weekend. Whaaa? When did that happen? I’m pretty sure I just graduated from college and backpacked around Europe. And don’t I drink Dr. Pepper without feeling gross for days and still go to concerts that start at 10 pm?

Oh wait, I’ve been married a decade and have three kids.

Confession: I LOVE my thirties. Love, love, love them. I’ll take 35 over 25 any day. I’ve felt so much more confident in my own skin, I’m much more aware of how things work, I enjoy the freedom in responsibility, and I’m better at accepting my limitations.

Here are 35 things I’ve learned in my 35 years.

2. Make eye contact, practice shaking hands, and don’t slouch when you sit.

3. It’s always better to not go into debt. if you’re making a decision about something, and one choice involves having to pay back money down the road, it’s probably not the better option.

4. It’s also always worth it to completely pay off debt. I’ve been debt-free for a little over three years now, and there’s no feeling like it. If you try it and decide it’s not for you, you can always go back into debt.

5. If you’re standing at the counter and can’t decide which one, go for the one with chocolate. That’s always a good move.

6. Shop thrift stores first, but if you don’t find it, don’t settle for almost. It might be worth it to spend more on quality, or maybe you should just wait until you find perfect.

7. Don’t gossip. Just don’t. It eats away at your soul, and it’s poisoning another one. If you only have friends that gossip, go meet some new people.

8. Find a set of recipes you’re really good at cooking, and stick to these basics when you’re having people over for dinner. Save the new recipe testing for family.

11. You’re never, ever, ever ready for kids. If you wait until life is just perfect, you’ll never have them.

12. Avoid painful shoes. They’re just not worth it.

13. Look your kids in the eye when they’re telling you something. Even if it’s something inane, like why the My Little Pony named Cherry Jubilee should be red with white hair instead of white with red hair—it’s important to your child, so it means the world to them when it looks like you care, too.

14. Buy cheap markers and colored pencils, but get the better, more expensive kind, too. Pull these out when you and your kids are making something epic.

15. Not many people can pull off wearing yellow. Keep it below the belt, or accessorize with it.

20. At birth, you’re only given so many all-nighters. You’ll use quite a few in college, but make sure you store up enough for the newborn-having years. Eventually, you’ll run out, and there’s no going back.

21. There will be younger people in your life that stay young in your head, and then when you find out they’ve graduated college, gotten a real job, gotten married, or had a baby, you’re going to feel old.

22. If you feel like you don’t have friends, go be a friend to someone. Take a chance and ask her to coffee or lunch. You won’t know if you’ll hit it off until you just ask.

23. If Morgan Freeman narrates it, it’s usually worth watching.

24. Ask people questions about themselves, and find out what they care about. It’s easy to only talk about yourself when you’re nervous or tired, but people feel loved when you listen to their ideas.

25. You’ll almost always regret that vacation-themed t-shirt.

26. If you think you hate a food, try it again in a few years, or try it cooked a different way. You may be surprised.

27. Don’t wait to have a “sex talk” with your kids. Talk about it, age-appropriately, off and on throughout your days. Remind them that they can always, always ask you anything. But be prepared—they will.

28. Travel to a different country as often as you can. But unless you’re in your twenties or younger, don’t stay in the group rooms in the hostels. Stay in apartments whenever possible, and cook a protein-heavy breakfast. You’ll save lots of money, and you won’t be running on fumes stuck on the metro or in the middle of the Louvre.

29. Don’t turn on the TV unless there’s something specific you want to watch. Play lots of music in the house instead, and try different types throughout the day.

30. Tip at least 20 percent, and if your service was good, tip more. You’ll make a waiter’s day.

31. Take your kids on one-on-one dates. It doesn’t have to be anything monumental—an hour at the ice cream shop every other week with just you could ultimately be one of their favorite childhood memories.

32. Tell your kids about your childhood, and don’t skip the parts where you really screwed up. And apologize when you still screw up as an adult.

33. Date your spouse. Don’t go more than two weeks without spending time sans kids, and try not to make your dates all business. Do fun stuff and make each other laugh, like you did before you were married.

34. Even when you go days without acknowledging His goodness, God is still there. And He still loves you wildly.

I am so, so very thankful for each and every one of you who reads this site. I’m blown away that I get to run Simple Mom for a living, and that’s all thanks to YOU. I’m not kidding… I thank God for you daily. Whatever brought you here, however long ago, I appreciate you. Very grateful, that’s me.

On Monday, I’m giving some of YOU a birthday present—I’m excited!

What would you add to my list of 35s?

August 24, 2012

Encouragement for living simpler, right in your inbox.

We share our stories as we simplify our lives - no guilt-trips, just love:

Now seems as good a time as any to de-lurk: Have a lovely, lovely, birthday!

I especially, especially agree with #7 (though it’s hard), #13 (wholeheartedly!), and #24. And thanks for the link in #27 — my 4-yo has started asking questions to which I want to give better, more honest answers.

Oh, and yes to #35. Though I must say that I’m finding that one more difficult than usual, given that my age this year ends with a 9.

sadly, the older i get, the more i realise that i *shouldn’t* choose the one with chocolate, but there’s lots of reasons for that… 😉 i love yellow! yellow is not so fond of me… 😉
i’m turning 30 early next year, and i’ve written a lost of thirty things to do before i turn thirty – slowly chipping away at it…

I’m a chronic blog lurker, but I just wanted to say that I love this, Tsh! Thanks for sharing! I agree with (or will agree with) most of your thoughts (I have no kids yet). I do think mustard yellow is a great color on a lot of people! It’s a nice “pop” color whether it’s pants, or a coat. No mustard yellow from head to toe though!

I’m glad you mentioned “always tipping 20%.” I don’t think most of your readers make it a habit to eat out at super expensive restaurants, so really, what’s a few more bucks anyway? As much as I’m watching my budget, I feel much better being generous than being stingy. If those few dollars are too much of a stretch, I probably shouldn’t be eating out then!

“As much as I’m watching my budget, I feel much better being generous than being stingy.” YES! Me too. And if we don’t want to pay a 20% tip, we go somewhere without a waiter. (And we still leave a buck or two in the jar on the counter.)

And I love mustard yellow, too—I just keep it on my earrings, my bag, and my shoes.

“At birth, you’re only given so many all-nighters. You’ll use quite a few in college, but make sure you store up enough for the newborn-having years. Eventually, you’ll run out, and there’s no going back.”

Happy Birthday Tsh for this weekend. I will be turning 50 in a couple of weeks and I have a few to add to the list.
36. You are never too old to try something new.
37. Surround yourself with friends that only bring positive energy, who, when you pick up the phone at 2am will be there for you in a crisis. It’s not quantity but quality.
38. Give up worrying about what people think of you, be authentic to yourself and let the rest go……I think i need to make my own list hmmmmm.
Thanks, great list.

I have always been a fan of yours, but after reading this I just want to be your friend! Your 35 years of wisdom really resonated with me and I cannot wait to share this with others. Have a fabulous birthday!!!

Happy bday Tsh !
i turned 35 last year and your list echoes so many on my list too – just that u have super knack of expressing them .
Thanks for making us all sit down and ‘re-think ‘ on our priorties .
Love
Mamta from sydney

Hey, you forgot one thing … one that I learned from you, don’t keep clutter in your life. It is not worth it. Only keep what you love, find beautiful, or find useful I am just now 28 (in the trenches with 3 kids 4 and under). You give me hope for the next decade!

Happy birthday, Tsh! How about # 36: Women’s bodies are amazing. They can make people! They can feed people! Focusing only on how your body, and other women’s bodies, look is silly and a waste of time.

I loved this! So many good points. I turned 33 this year and I’m married with a 2-year-old. Most of my friends are younger than me, unmarried with no kids… So, it’s easy to miss how things once were and to be scared of getting older. I need to enjoy life now and be thankful every day!

Wonderful!
I’m 53 with one 10 year old and would add that 1) Presentation matters, 2) Manners are important and at the end of it all, its probably not worth getting that upset about if you aren’t going to remember it a year from now.
Happy 35!

A very Happy Birthday! I enjoyed your list. I would like to add one:
#36 Tell your kids you will always Love them no matter what, but you may not always Like them and make sure they know the difference! It makes Loving even in difficult times easier when you realize to Love someone doesn’t always mean you Like them. It is also a great example of God’s Love since I know there are times He doesn’t Like what I am doing but He will always Love me!

Great post, Tsh! I agree with you 100% on these. Having just turned 40 myself, I’ll tell you that the 40s are pretty awesome too. Thanks for making my 30s and 40s even better with all of your thought-provoking, witty, and useful blogging

Great list! Also 35, also loving it Here are my additions.
36. Forgive. Keeping yourself in jail over somebody elses ill towards you is a little bit twisted, and takes far too much energy!
37. Start your day well. Read the Bible/pray/exercise, or some combination of all of them. Do it before your kids wake up, or you spend all day wishing you’d done the before school routine a little more graciously!
38. Drink more tea. From a pretty mug, the bigger the better. Slow down and enjoy it, it is a partial cure for most things.
39. Don’t leave crying out to Jesus for a last resort. Pray now, let worry drop off the to do list. Definitely a formula for lighter-hearted living.
40. Don’t spend much time on the computer, but when you do, make it worthwhile, something that encourages or uplifts you or someone else, not drains you and makes you feel like you’ve lost or wasted time.
Thanks for asking! Have a blast being 35!

I am rapidly approaching 55 and working on my own list… I would add a few… if you do not like doing something… don’t do it… unless God is telling you to do it. And wear clothes that fit you properly… you will always look better and no one knows what size you are wearing (does anyone every ask to look at the label … really ???) Only wear what you really like… even if it is “out” that year. It will come back again and again and again. Wear pretty shoes, but shoes that fit and do not hurt. There are pointy toe high heels that fit and do not hurt. They cost a lot. But they are worth having one pair of. Cole Haan makes shoes that the designer of the Nike designs and they have the same comfort level. They are about half or less than the Christian LaCroix and the Jimmy Choo shoes. Try shoes on at the end of the day … and make sure you can return them. Wear them around the house for an hour or so before you decide to keep them. If they slide off your heels they do not fit. You will never be ready for children…. and teenagers are way harder than babies. You will stay up much later with them and be more tired and scared because the problems even get bigger. Thank God that He is with you on those nights. Be yourself. Do not try to be great at everything. Appreciate the talents of others and when you are having a party… ask your friends to do the things you know they are great at… like the centerpiece or the chocolate cake to die for. Chocolate is a must to have on hand. Bandaids… neosporin… and chocolate… milk and some good tea. Essentials. Find a lip stick color that works for you and buy ten. The next time you want it … it will be gone. Buy really good underwear. Victoria’s Secret has a sale twice a year. Make sure that fits too. Get a bra fitting after you have kids and have lost the weight… you will be shocked. Love God… love yourself … and love your neighbor and your friends and family as you love yourself… give more than you get… and don’t ever forget that while you only see a snapshot… God sees the whole picture. I used to have long auburn hair in the 60’s and 70’s and so on… now I have long silvery gray hair… and like God says… Gray hair is a “crown of splendor.” “Everything is beautiful in it’s time…” and “GOD is in the details.” (Most people get that one wrong.) Happy Birthday !!! It only gets better !!!

I’m so glad to have found your blog about a year ago now. Your writing inspires me and also tells me I’m not alone in my struggles (raising kids, mid-30’s, finances) when I read your blog… Thank you for writing and really sharing here.

I love this!! I will be pinning it and sharing it with others!! I am 37 1/2 and I think one of the most poignant points you made was to “embrace your age” and that “growing old is something to celebrate” because “not everyone gets to.” So very true. I will never, ever say anything again insinuating that birthdays as the years go on aren’t as worthy of celebration as the younger years…because every day is a gift. And just for the record, I love my 30s, too.

Happy birthday!!!! love the ideas. Packing ligt resonates with me and not just for trips!! i want to experience my life not just curate my stuff. I am 40 with a 2 yo and 1 month old and so far 40 is exponentially better than 30.

Thank you for sharing your positive attitude about being in your 30’s instead of the typical “I feel old, I dread my birthday every year, I miss my 20’s” attitude. As a 20-something woman, you’ve given me a fresh perspective and something to look forward to instead of looking toward the future with dread and fear. How refreshing! Happy Birthday!

This is such a great list, I’m tempted to print out a QR code linking to it from my salon website. I remember that I didn’t even hit my stride until I was 33, and from there everything just started to “fit” and I’ve been comfortable in my own skin ever since! I am a 41 year old empty-nester, and now get to date my husband two or three times a week, so we’re making up for all those years where we had to actually pawn off the kids on grandma/pa and skip town for a weekend three times a year because our daily life was so hectic.

Great birthday post. Now you’ve got me thinking about what I’ve learned for my next birthday. Here’s one that we’ve used a lot lately: Once you’re an adult and you have children, you get a say at what can come into your house. Don’t be burdened by other people’s guilt or generosity when it can be a blessing to others.

I’ll be 35 in March. Where does it go?? Grateful that there aren’t too many things I look back on with regret, and trying to live forward so I’ll still be able to say that in another 35 years. Thanks Tsh and happy birthday!

I just don’t understand where time goes; I’m turning 30 next year may’ but still feel like I’m not grown up. Have to pinch myself every now and then and remind myself I have a grown up job, and that I am in a grown up relationship

Happy Birthday! I really enjoyed your list and completely agree with all of it. I think the only things I would add would be what i have heard you say in your podcast that you should follow your passion even if it means doing it for free because, in the beginning, it will probably be for free. I would also add to the list: pay extra for a pair of jeans that fit & buy them in a dark color, your truly get what you give in this world, and do not skip the memories/vacations/trips of a lifetime because of your work ‘in box’. You will never be able to remember what was so important that was in your ‘in box’. Thanks for all your inspiration!

Happy Birthday!! Great list and great site(s)!! You are blessed with your creativity and vision and it is no surprise that you have such a following! Thanks for making it a reality and giving the rest of us so much inspiration!!

And many thanks to you and your blog…. to be here with lots of suggestions…. helpfull advices… and lot of grace for people like me that need help and inspiration during bad and hard period.
I am writting from Italy and I a big fan if your blog.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TSH!! I agree with you – my 30’s were great! I was actually really excited to turn 30 – because then I “felt old enough to tell people what to do”. Not that I hadn’t been telling people what to do – but I worked on a L&D/Postpartum unit with a bunch of women in their 40’s and 50’s (and some 30’s) and they would always say “Oh . . . you are only in your 20’s . . . what do you know?” Well – I was happy when 30 came! Now 40 . . . I wasn’t quite looking forward to that – but decided to take the edge off by going on a cruise with my 2 sisters and mom to celebrate! That made turning 40 a fun and memorable event!
Enjoy the rest of your 30’s – and yes . . . your 40’s will be FABULOUS!

Happy birthday! At 33, I absolutely love this list and you are so right. My 30s have been so much better than my 20s, so far!! The only thing that I would add to your list is that life is too short to hold grudges. Forgive and let it go. Don’t waste any time letting yourself be consumed by hate or discontent.

Oh, I love this. I was planning to do the same thing next week for my birthday! I’m older though, so will have to come up w/ more. Your list is great and I would include some of them in mine. I loved my 30’s too – you just accept yourself and decide to be happy. I hope your birthday is wonderful – filled with hugs and chocolate!

Happy birthday – so thankful for you tsh and that God has given you this gift of encouraging others.
Love your blog of 35
I’m 34 and agree life keeps getting better and better you see more and more of God’s faithfulness in every season
One thing on my list of lessons learned is not to attempt to cut my own kid’s hair!!!
Thanks for you and all you do

Wonderful post, Tsh! I think your 40’s WILL be even more awesome than your 30’s. Mine have been. Now I’m 48, I’m a bit suspicious that perhaps my 50’s can’t POSSIBLY be any better than this, but one thing is sure, we all keep learning. Thanks so much for your list and your creativity and honesty.

I’d seen your title in Google reader this morning and have been waiting all day to read this!

Happy Birthday!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this site, it’s always very helpful and encouraging!
I would add: Pray for everything before you take action – for those huge decisions, but even for little things like a lost brand new toy that your kid just lost or trying to find out how in the world those ants got into your house – God is always there and always wanting to help and show you His love!

I love this list! I turned 38 this year and I agree – I have loved my 30s and am looking forward to my 40s. I have learned so much about myself and become more self-aware and this has helped me to be more graceful with others and cut people some slack. I especially love #35 – I had a heart attack when I was 32 and almost died. I’m still learning how to take advantage of this second chance. Have a happy birthday and I hope you have many more!

Happy Birthday! I’m a few months behind you, and I think my list would look very similar, sans the kids. I’ve been stuck on that we’re not ready but we are. Enjoy your 30s, and keep inspiring so many…I know I’m inspired, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my newfound freedom in being simple.

I’m 36, so I’ll just add one thing : ) Don’t wait another year to do that thing, wear that thing, get that hairstyle, or start that hobby. People will think it’s a mid-life crisis if you wait too long, when really, it’s just taken you that long to be comfortable enough in your own skin to do it, wear it, be it…whatever.

love this list. I turn 35 next month and you’re making me feel better about it! As expected I agree with everything, #29 especially. Thanks to a more prominent spot for the stereo, we’ve been listening to more music lately and it is a good thing. For my part, I’d add: #36 Never forget that appearances are deceiving. No one’s life is perfect and you’re a better friend when the fake wall comes down.

Happy birthday and thank you for sharing your wisdom with us. Some very valid points there, like the no gossip and the travelling with kids, just to name a couple. I look forward to turning 35 and get as wise as you :-).

Happy Birthday, Tsh! Wishing you a wonderful weekend celebrating this milestone. And what a great list! You’ve inspired me to do the same when I turn 35 next year. I’ve been a fan of your blog for a few years now. Besides wishing you a happy birthday, I want to take a moment to thank you for doing what you do — the inspiration (and humor!) that you bring here are simply awesome.

I love this list! So true about the all nighters. Why is it that in our heads, we are frozen at about 24. And then our bodies remind us that we indeed are getting old. I would also add, find a person or family in need and meet it.

The nester linked this post and I’m glad she did I! Love your list, very helpful! The posture exercises totally need them and the sex talk article gave me encouragement. I’ve talked to my daughter about kissing boys and wondered if it was too much for her age…but no, no it’s not!

I found myself nodding my head, “Yes” with each one of your 35 things. I turn the big 3-5 next month. Three and a half decades have flown by! I’ve always thought of 40 as being OLD. Now…..not so much.
I think I would have to add…cherish your second decade (ages 10-20) and make good choices. This is the decade that I look back on most often. It’s the time when you are really starting your life. Making decisions that will eventually shape your future. It went by crazy fast and I often find myself wishing I could go back and talk to my tween/teen self.
BTW…..HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Thank you for the lovely article, I agree with every single one of them, Happy birthday to you, I turned 36 last July, if I am gonna add I will add this :
#36 You are never too old to start something or to start learning a new thing even if it is the hardest sport ever or a complicated subject, years of experience you have might be the real prerequisite.

I turned 35 this year as well! I noticed myself being more observant about adulthood versus my youth, and found myself wondering what my 45 year old self would tell my 35 year old self. Life is sooo quick! I love your list.

I’m in love with my 30s too. I hated my 20s and am so happy to be out of them. I would add: Stress is controllable. When you realize you are stressed, stop and breath. Watch the wind blow the trees and the clouds move through the sky. It is worth it for the five seconds it takes to be aware that nothing changes if you allow yourself to stop stressing. It makes it so much better.

Happy birthday, Tsh! As a 28-year-old who feels a little behind the times (married, but still renting, no kids), it’s good to realize that there are so many great things still coming up. Thanks for your list and your blog, which has been a highlight of the interwebz for me for the last 3 years.

Love this post. I love my thirties too. My life is much less dramatic and chaotic than it was in my 20’s. I would add learn something how to do something you’ve always wanted to do and don’t let your age stand in your way. Like learn to play guitar, learn to sew, learn how to do video editing, or learn a sport. I’m taking swimming lessons in a couple weeks!

Happy 35th, Tsh.
Loved your list so much.
I agree about TV and traveling and not going into debt.
Also? Yay for libraries! Our family visits the local branch at least twice a week.
And painful shoes? Not worth it. Even if they are cute.

Happy Birthday! I thoroughly enjoyed my thirties and didn’t think things could get any better. I was wrong. My children were born when I was 37 and 40 and things just keep getting better. Life throws you a curve ball now and then, but the other side of menopause was a pleasant surprise for me.

Never underestimate the impact of a simple and sincere “Thank you.” This is especially true with husbands and mother in laws.
Smile at strangers. You never know if you are making a difference in someone’s day.
No matter how bad a time you are having with your children and how hard it is at the moment, find at least one positive thing you can say to your child each day about why you like them. This sounds easy until you have teenagers.

Good list. I concur with almost everything…I have to admit I’d love to get a vacation t-shirt! I’ll be turning 38 in about a month and keep wondering how I got to my “late 30’s” so fast. My 30’s have been kind of rough for various reasons, but I still love being 30-something, and I look forward to the 40’s too. I just really enjoy maturing and seeing my kids growing up. Big fan of Morgan Freeman here too!

Such a beautiful and gracious post! I’m turning 30 in March… I like the structure you’ve given here and I love that you are willing to learn as you go, but overall, look for blessings, not pitfalls. So happy I read your post this morning! Happy Birthday

What a great list of things! I turned 31 this past winter/spring (what do you consider a March birthday? Winter in Michigan where I live now but Spring in North Carolina where I used to live), and I definitely agree that the 30’s are wonderful! I had a history professor who once said, “Every decade has been better than the one before.” and I decided I would take on that philosophy myself instead of bemoaning aging. I’m desperately trying to convince my husband that we should do #28 (my sister and her family live in Brussels at the moment) even though we have a 2 1/2 year old and a 7 month old…

Wow. I’m either really impressed with how quick a learner you are, or just thankful I learned the same things by the time I was 45! Thank you for putting into words so much wisdom! I’m sharing with my beautiful daughters, and I hope tons of women will read this and be enlightened!

Happy birthday! Great pieces of advice you gave here. I’m in my late-20’s and been very shy and almost embarrassed to tell people my actual age. It’s really nice to know that I should be looking forward to getting older. Thank you!

Your list is awesome!! great way to mark the passing of years and as they say in the BCP “growing in grace!”
Love your #29 – We’ve gone screen free ( tv, not computer) for the month of august and I can’t AMEN you loud enough on it – so much more time to just.be. together.
Blessings in this new year – and thank you for #34 – I desperately needed the reminder this morning.

Happy Birthday, Fellow 1977-er!
I will be turning 35 in November, and I just wanted to tell you that “Organized Simplicity” and your blog have changed my life immeasurably!! I am working on simplifying, starting by quitting my job to spend more time with my kids. We’ll figure it out…we don’t need things to impress other people, right!?!?
You are the most inspiring 35 year old I’ve come across and I really wanted to thank you for encouraging me to do things I never would have imagined – baking my own bread, all kinds of “greenness,” and savoring every moment of my family’s precious life!!
I know I don’t know you, but thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!

Ah, a lot of these tap in to my recent conversation about people calling (and actually treating) the wedding day as the biggest/best/most important day of their lives.
It’s not! And it shouldn’t be!
It should be great, memorable and well tuned to the newly-weds but life and great days should always be up-and-coming. From yesterday till eternity. ;]
I’m in my 20s and luckily I always felt ‘just right’ in my skin for whatever age I was. I’m looking forward to my 30s and my 80s, but mostly I’m looking forward to doing my best to enjoy the rest of Today.

In retrospect, I can’t say I’m super fond of my 30s. Even though I’ve faced some challenges in my 40s, I’d say I feel better equipped and less uncertain. Love this list. For me, #12 informs everything else. If your feet hurt, you can’t focus on the big stuff.

I love your list and #23 had be laughing…I have been saying this for years! I am not yet in my 30s ( just a few months away) and I am looking forward to them, mainly because so many people like yourself claim that their 30s have been awesome. Have a great weekend!

Thank you for all this advice…especially #34! Also, thanks for your voice of encouragement and sincerity… most of the time I go away from lists like this feeling like I just gotta pull myself up by my bootstraps and do better. But this one doesn’t give me that feeling at all. It encourages me and motivates me in a very positive way! Thank you.

Newbie reader and newbie commenter but I just have to say how much I love this! It’s so very simple but purposeful as we grow older and our focus changes….I just loved it. Also, the Morgan Freeman line? Genius. Looking forward to reading more from you.

Happy very belated birthday, Tsh! You’re so awesome. I really like this post a lot. I pinned it to my well said board. I agree with mamta that you have a gifted knack at expressing things. I especially like your perspective on #35, “…Not everyone gets to. Life is a gift.” Amen. Question about packing though – you’ve traveled more than me, so why would you say under-packing is better than over-packing? Like, what about when you’re reaally cold or SUPER hot and you weren’t prepared for it? Maybe that just happens rarely? Can you share more of your wisdom on that? Maybe it’ll help me on future trips. Thanks for blessing us with your writing and encouraging us with your wisdom!